CLEANING FABRIC AND ASSOCIATED APPARATUS AND METHODS - Patent application

Abstract

A printing system cleaning fabric (13) comprising a first layer (131) having a first cleaning surface (131') and a second layer (132) having a second cleaning surface (132') facing opposite the first cleaning surface (131'). The first layer (131) and the second layer (132) extend parallel to each other and have respective inner surfaces (131", 132") attached to each other along the extension of the cleaning fabric (13). The first layer (131) and the second layer (132) have different penetration characteristics.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an improved printing system cleaning fabric, a printing system cleaning machine, a roll of cleaning fabric for use in the printing system cleaning machine, and a method of cleaning with such a cleaning machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The surfaces of printing press cylinders or rolls are often cleaned with a cleaning fabric impregnated with a cleaning fluid. Typically, the cleaning fabric is unwound from a supply roll and brought into contact with the cylinder to be cleaned, and eventually wound onto a take-up roll or immediately disposed of.

[0003] A drawback of conventional cleaning fabrics is that residual ink often leaks from one side of the fabric to the other. Examples of prior art documents that disclose cleaning fabrics that attempt to retain the absorbed ink include, for example, US Pat. No. 5,399,366. This cleaning fabric comprises an oil-absorbing layer and an oil-impermeable layer that covers the oil-absorbing layer except for the portion that contacts the ink roller to be cleaned. The cleaning fabric automatically absorbs the ink remaining on the train of ink rollers and is then disposed of.

[0004] In the above example, and in the prior art as well, the cleaning fabrics are used only once and then discarded. This results in a wasteful amount of cleaning fabrics that have only been used once being discarded, which is not only costly to the customer using the cleaning fabrics, but also has an attendant negative impact on the environment. Thus, there is room for improvement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 0414909 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 3582970 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2020 / 035499 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to solve or at least alleviate problems associated with the prior art. This object is achieved by the technology set out in the accompanying independent claims and by preferred embodiments defined in the associated dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In a first aspect, a printing system cleaning fabric is provided that includes a first layer having a first cleaning surface and a second layer having a second cleaning surface facing opposite the first cleaning surface. The first layer and the second layer each have an inner surface that extends parallel to one another and is attached to the other along the extension of the cleaning fabric. Additionally, the first layer and the second layer have different penetration characteristics.

[0008] The different permeability characteristics of the first and second layers are advantageous in that the first layer is adapted not to leak any substance or residue absorbed by the cleaning fabric to the second layer, while the second layer of the cleaning fabric can absorb the substance or residue and allow its diffusion to the first layer, such that the permeability of the first layer can provide a clean second surface, thereby allowing reuse of the cleaning fabric.

[0009] The construction of these cleaning fabrics is advantageous in that they can be used twice during one cleaning cycle, meaning twice the cleaning potential can be achieved with one roll of cleaning fabric, which is good for both the environment and the customer, as it reduces waste while halving the amount of cleaning fabric that needs to be handled after use.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first and second layers are made from either nonwoven and woven materials, or a combination thereof.

[0011] The first and second layers of the cleaning fabric may be impregnated with a cleaning composition.

[0012] In another embodiment, the first cleaning surface and the second cleaning surface of the cleaning fabric are configured to engage a surface of an object to be cleaned in use and remove residue from the surface of the object to be cleaned.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the first cleaning layer and the second cleaning layer of the cleaning fabric have different fiber compositions, fiber densities and / or thicknesses.

[0014] In another embodiment, the first layer comprises an absorbent layer configured to absorb residue from the surface of the object to be cleaned and prevent migration of the residue to the second layer.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second layer comprises an absorbent layer configured to absorb residue from the surface of the item to be cleaned and transfer the residue to the first layer.

[0016] The second layer may further comprise an additional absorbent layer.

[0017] In another embodiment, the cleaning fabric further comprises an intermediate layer sandwiched between the first and second layers. The intermediate layer may comprise a polymeric material, whereby the intermediate layer forms a barrier between the first and second layers to prevent water and / or residue from migrating from one layer to the other. In that case, the first and second layers may be provided as very thin layers.

[0018] The cleaning fabric may be an elongated, flexible, web-like material configured to be wrapped around a core to form a roll.

[0019] In a second aspect, a printing system cleaning machine adapted for cleaning a rotating cylinder is provided. The cleaning machine comprises a cleaning fabric roll including a core around which a cleaning fabric as described above is wound, and a take-up roller around which the used cleaning fabric can be wound. The cleaning fabric roll is arranged upstream of the rotating cylinder to be cleaned, and the take-up roller is arranged downstream of the rotating cylinder to be cleaned. The cleaning fabric roll and the take-up roller are configured to be interchanged in their respective positions when the first cleaning surface of the first layer has been used.

[0020] In a third aspect, there is provided a roll of cleaning fabric for use in a printing system cleaning machine according to the above. The roll includes a cleaning fabric and a core on which the cleaning fabric is wound.

[0021] In a fourth aspect, a method for cleaning a rotating cylinder of a printing system is provided. The rotating cylinder is cleaned by a printing system cleaning machine including a cleaning fabric roll including a core around which the cleaning fabric is wound, and a collection roller. The cleaning method includes the steps of: feeding a cleaning fabric from the cleaning fabric roll to the rotating cylinder to be cleaned, positioning a first cleaning surface of the cleaning fabric in contact with the rotating cylinder to be cleaned, winding the used cleaning fabric on a collection roller arranged downstream of the rotating cylinder until the core of the cleaning fabric roll is at least partially exposed, and replacing the core of the used cleaning fabric roll with a collection roller whose first cleaning surface includes the used cleaning fabric when all the used cleaning fabric has been wound on the collection roller.

[0022] In one embodiment, the method for cleaning a rotating cylinder further includes feeding a used cleaning fabric with a first cleaning surface from a collection roller to the rotating cylinder to be cleaned, positioning a second cleaning surface of the cleaning fabric in contact with the rotating cylinder to be cleaned, whereby both the first cleaning surface and the second cleaning surface wind the used cleaning fabric onto a core located downstream of the rotating cylinder.

[0023] In a fifth aspect, there is provided the use of a cleaning fabric for use in cleaning a rotating cylinder included in a printing system according to the above description.

[0024] The idea behind the present invention is to provide a cleaning cloth or fabric that can be used twice by simply moving the used cleaning cloth from the take-up position of the roll of cleaning cloth to the supply position and then cleaning on the clean side of the already used cleaning cloth.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical printing system with a complete roller and printing cylinder installation and a cleaning machine equipped with a cleaning cloth according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning cloth according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cleaning cloth according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning cloth according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cleaning cloth according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a cleaning method according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Below we will discuss cleaning cylinders in a printing press, however it is important to note that the various concepts discussed below are applicable to many different types of applications that typically involve rotating cylinders, including other types of roll-to-roll operations.

[0028] In FIG. 1, a typical printing unit or printing system 1 is shown with several printing cylinders and rollers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The printing system 1 described herein includes an impression cylinder 2, which may be the largest printing cylinder, a blanket cylinder 3, which is a medium-sized cylinder adjacent to the impression cylinder as shown in FIG. 1 and has a blanket such as a rubber sheet (not shown), and a plate cylinder 4, which is a medium-sized cylinder adjacent to the blanket cylinder 3. The blanket is typically approximately 2 mm thick. The printing system 1 further includes several ink rollers 5, which are small diameter rollers that are not dampener rollers, and several dampener rollers 6, which are depicted as five smaller circles in FIG. 1. The series of ink rollers 5 may be associated with an ink source 8 that provides ink to the ink rollers 5. The series of dampener rollers 6 may be associated with a dampener water source (here a water container 9) that provides water to the dampener rollers 6.

[0029] As also described in the applicant's US Pat. No. 5,999,633, when the printing system 1 is performing a printing operation, water is conveyed to the cylinders via dampening rollers 6, which receive water from a dampening water supply 9. The water reaches the pressure-free surface between the cylinders 2, 3, 4, where it remains. Ink is then conveyed to the cylinders 2, 3, 4 by ink rollers 5, which receive ink from an ink supply 8. The print is then transferred to the blanket cylinder 3 and then to a material, such as paper. The material to receive the print is placed between a rubber sheet (not shown) on the blanket cylinder 3 and the impression cylinder 2. The printing operation is performed there, and the print is transferred from the rubber sheet to the material. The cylinder and roller configuration described herein is only one possible configuration for a printing system.

[0030] Printing cylinders require periodic cleaning. Cleaning is accomplished using a cleaning machine or cassette 10 containing a cleaning roll 12 equipped with a cleaning fabric (also called a cleaning cloth) 13. Typically, the cleaning fabric 13 is saturated with a cleaning composition or cleaning liquid. Preferably, the cleaning fabric 13 is pre-saturated or pre-impregnated with such cleaning liquid prior to placement of the roll 14 carrying the cleaning fabric 13 in the cleaning machine 10. The cleaning fabric 13 and cleaning liquid are described in more detail below.

[0031] During cleaning, the cylinders 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are rotated in the opposite direction to when the printing system is used for printing, causing the cleaning chemistry to be transferred from the cleaning fabric 13 to the rubber sheet (not shown) on cylinder 3 and then to the remaining cylinders 2, 4, 5, 6 of the printing system 1.

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates a cleaning cassette 10 of the printing system 1 shown in Figure 1. The cleaning cassette 10 includes a cleaning roll 12 that includes a bobbin or core 14. The cleaning fabric 13 may be an elongated web of material configured to be wrapped around the core 14 to form the cleaning roll 12. The core 14 may be solid or hollow and may be of any suitable material, such as plastic, paper, metal, etc. The shape of the core 14 is described herein as having a circular cross-section, but may have other cross-sectional shapes.

[0033] 1 and 2 further comprises a collection roller 16 around which the used cleaning fabric 13 can be wound. The collection roller 16 may also be referred to as a take-up roller. The cleaning fabric roll core 14 and the collection roller 16 are configured to be interchangeable with each other in their respective positions after use of the first cleaning side of the fabric 13.

[0034] In Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning roll 12 is arranged upstream of the printing cylinder 3 to be cleaned, and the collection roller 16 is arranged downstream of the printing cylinder 3 to be cleaned.

[0035] The cleaning cassette 10 may be any type of suitable cleaning machine used for cleaning purposes of rotating cylinders. As indicated by the double arrow A in Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning cassette 10 is movable between a standby position, in which the cleaning fabric 13 is not in contact with the object to be cleaned (cylinder 3 in this example), and an operating position, in which the cleaning fabric 13 is in contact with cylinder 3. The printing system 1 comprises means (not shown) for reciprocating the cleaning cassette 10 between the standby position and the operating position. In a particular embodiment (not shown), the cleaning cassette 10 equipped with the cleaning fabric 13 may also be brought into contact with other cylinders of the printing system, such as the impression cylinder 2 and / or the plate cylinder 4.

[0036] According to one embodiment (not shown), after cleaning of the printing cylinder 3, the cleaning fabric 13 is wound from the cleaning roll 12 onto the collecting roller 16, exposing the bobbin 14 of the cleaning roll 12. At this point, only one side of the cleaning fabric 13 has been used. The bobbin 14 and the collecting roller 16 (with the cleaning fabric 13 wound on it) are then swapped from their downstream position of the collecting roller 16 shown in Figures 1 and 2 to their upstream position of the cleaning roll 12, so that the second side of the cleaning fabric 13 can be used. This means that the empty cleaning fabric roll 12, which has already been unwound to only the core 14, can be replaced by the collecting roller 16 with the cleaning fabric 13 wound on it, which has only been used once. This makes it possible to use the same cleaning fabric 13 twice, i.e. first with its first side and then with its second side. Thus, in accordance with this inventive concept, the construction of the cleaning fabric 13, as described in detail below with reference to Figures 3-6, allows the cleaning fabric 13 to be reused rather than simply used once, before being discarded.

[0037] A cleaning fabric 13 according to one embodiment is shown generally in Figures 3 and 4. The cleaning fabric 13 is an elongated, flexible, web-like material configured to be wrapped around a core to form a roll.

[0038] 3 and 4, the cleaning fabric 13 has a first layer 131 having a first cleaning surface 131' and a second layer 132 having a second cleaning surface 132'. The first cleaning surface 131' faces away from the second cleaning surface 132'. The cleaning surfaces 131', 132' may also be referred to as the first and second sides, respectively, of the cleaning fabric 13. The cleaning surfaces 131', 132' are the outer surfaces of the cleaning fabric 13.

[0039] Both cleaning surfaces 131', 132' of the cleaning fabric 13 are configured to engage the surface of an object to be cleaned to remove residue therefrom. The object to be cleaned is typically a rotating cylinder. In the non-limiting examples disclosed herein, the object to be cleaned is primarily a blanket cylinder and / or an impression cylinder in a printing system. The residue can be, for example, ink, calcium carbonate, binder, dampening solution, lint, fabric lint, etc.

[0040] The first layer 131 and the second layer 132 extend parallel to each other as shown in the schematic diagram and have respective inner surfaces 131", 132" attached to each other along the length of the cleaning fabric 13. In other words, the first layer 131 has an opposite inner surface 131" with a first cleaning surface 131' and the second layer 132 has an opposite inner surface 132" with a second cleaning surface 132'. The inner surfaces 131", 132" of the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 face each other and are attached to each other along the length of the cleaning fabric 13. They may be attached to each other by, for example, hydroentanglement, ultrasonic pattern bonding, thermal bonding, or ultraviolet irradiation.

[0041] Preferably, the combined thickness of the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 is up to 50% thicker than conventional cleaning fabrics known in the art, which may have a thickness in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, such as 0.23 mm to 0.29 mm. Thus, the thickness of the cleaning fabric 13, including the first layer 131 and the second layer 132, may be in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.45 mm.

[0042] The first layer 131 and the second layer 132 may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers and / or paper fibers.

[0043] Preferably, the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 have different permeability properties. For example, the first layer 131 is permeable enough to prevent the migration of the aforementioned residues absorbed during the cleaning process to the second layer 132. In other words, the first layer 131 is impermeable to at least one of the (above-mentioned) residues present on the surface to be cleaned. One advantage of this is that even if the cleaning fabric 13 has already been used on its first side 131', the second layer 132 remains unsoiled and clean for further use. This means that the second layer 132 is still clean enough to pass as a new cleaning surface in a system where sensors are used to control the cleaning process.

[0044] For example, the second layer 132 can be more permeable than the first layer 131, so that when the second layer 132 is used to remove residual ink from the cylinder surface to be cleaned, ink can migrate to the used first layer 131. In this way, the cleaning fabric 13 is used twice due to the different permeability properties of the first layer 131 and the second layer 132. Typically, the first side 131' is used first before the second side 132' is used. Different types of PET fibers with different properties can be used for the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 to achieve a change in permeability of each layer 131, 132.

[0045] It should also be noted that the absorbent properties of the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 of the cleaning fabric 13 can be the same or different. That is, while the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 can absorb residue in the same way, they can have different permeabilities to the residue. Typically, the first layer 131 includes an absorbent layer configured to absorb residue from the surface of the object to be cleaned and prevent the residue from migrating to the second layer 132. Conversely, the second layer 132 includes an absorbent layer configured to absorb residue from the surface of the object to be cleaned and transfer the residue to the first layer 131.

[0046] The absorption characteristics are influenced by factors such as the porosity of the first layer 131 and the second layer 132. The higher the porosity of the material, the higher the absorption capacity. The combination of paper fibers and PET fibers also affects the absorption capacity.

[0047] Additionally, the second layer 132 may include an additional absorbent layer (not shown) to withstand the pressure of a pressure pad, such as a rubber pad 18, that is pressed against the cleaning fabric 13 during the cleaning process, so that any cleaning components contained in the cleaning fabric 13 remain in the second layer 132 and are available for subsequent uses of the cleaning fabric 13.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the cleaning fabric 13 comprises more than two layers 131, 132, such as three or four layers (not shown).

[0049] Typically, the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 are made from a nonwoven material or a woven material, or a combination thereof. Each layer of the cleaning fabric can have a different fiber composition, fiber density and / or thickness.

[0050] The cleaning fabric 13 may have a thickness up to 35% greater than conventional cleaning fabrics. The cleaning fabric 13 may have a thickness of, for example, 0.20 mm to 0.80 mm, preferably 0.25 mm to 0.60 mm, more preferably 0.25 mm to 40 mm, and most preferably 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm. Additionally, the cleaning fabric 13 may or may not be calendered.

[0051] To provide cleaning properties, the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 of the cleaning fabric 13 are impregnated or pre-soaked with a cleaning composition or cleaning liquid. The cleaning composition can be of the type disclosed, for example, in the applicant's own patent application WO 2005 / 023363. Typically, the cleaning liquid comprises at least one organic solvent for diluting and / or dissolving residual ink etc., and at least one cellulose solubilizer configured to dissolve cellulosic material, such as paper chips, of the cylinder to be cleaned. Examples of other residues that may be removed from the rotating cylinder by cleaning have already been mentioned. Preferably, the cellulose solubilizer should be low volatile organic compound (low VOC or no VOC).

[0052] In addition to what has already been described, the cleaning fabric 13 may further comprise an intermediate layer sandwiched between the first and second layers, as shown diagrammatically in Figures 5 and 6. The cleaning fabric 13 may have more than three layers.

[0053] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the cleaning fabric 13 has a three-layer structure with a first layer 231, a second layer 232, and an intermediate layer 233 sandwiched between the first layer 231 and the second layer 232. When viewed in cross section, the cleaning fabric 13 has a generally sandwich-like structure. The intermediate layer 233 may have a different thickness than the first layer 231 and the second layer 232. For example, the intermediate layer 233 is substantially thinner than the first layer 231 and the second layer 232. The layers 231 to 233 taken together can be viewed as a sheet-like laminate structure. Alternatively, the first layer 231 and the second layer 232 are thinner than the intermediate layer 233. The first layer 231 and the second layer 232 may have different thicknesses.

[0054] Preferably, the combined thickness of the first layer, the intermediate layer, and the second layer is up to 50% thicker than conventional cleaning fabrics known in the art. Such known cleaning fabrics may have a thickness in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, such as 0.23 mm to 0.29 mm. Thus, the thickness of the cleaning fabric 13 including the first layer 231, the second layer 232, and the intermediate layer 233 may be in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.45 mm. The intermediate layer 233 is very thin, and the first layer 231 and the second layer 232 may have approximately the same thickness as the first layer 131 and the second layer 132 of the cleaning fabric 13 shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0055] The intermediate layer 233 is preferably a polymeric material such as a thin plastic film or includes a polymeric material. The intermediate layer 233 is adapted to be impermeable to residues absorbed by the cleaning fabric 13 from the surface of the rotating cylinder to be cleaned. For example, the intermediate layer 233, which may be called a barrier, is impermeable to at least one of the residues already mentioned. Thereby, when the first side 231' (as shown in FIG. 5) of the cleaning fabric 13 is used to clean the surface of a printing cylinder, the residues absorbed by the first layer 231 are prevented from diffusing into and contaminating the second layer 232 of the cleaning fabric 13, and vice versa. In other words, by using the barrier layer 233, the residues absorbed by the first layer 231 and the second layer 232 of the cleaning fabric 13, respectively, cannot extend therefrom to the other layer. Thus, the other side remains clean for further use. After both sides have been used, the cleaning fabric 13 may be discarded.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, the first layer 231 has a first cleaning surface 231' and the second layer 232 has a second cleaning surface 232' facing away from the first cleaning surface 231'. The cleaning surfaces 231', 232' may also be referred to as the first and second sides of the cleaning fabric 13. The two sides 231', 232' of the cleaning fabric 13 are configured to engage the surface of the object to be cleaned. The cleaning surfaces 231', 232' are the outer surfaces of the cleaning fabric 13. When the intermediate layer 233 is provided, the first layer 231 and the second layer 232 can be provided as relatively thin layers, in addition to being able to clean the surface on both sides 231', 232' of the cleaning fabric 13. This results in a lighter weight for the cleaning fabric 13. The thin layers also result in lower manufacturing costs and, due to their light weight, reduced shipping costs.

[0057] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the first layer 231 and the second layer 232 of the cleaning fabric 13 have corresponding inner surfaces 231", 232", respectively, configured to be attached to the facing surfaces 233', 233", respectively, of the intermediate layer 233. Surfaces 231" and 233', and surfaces 232" and 233" may be attached to one another, preferably by any one of an adhesive, welding, bonding, or the like.

[0058] 5 and 6 comprises a first layer 231, a second layer 232 and an intermediate layer 233 sandwiched between the first layer 231 and the second layer 232, the first layer 231 having a first cleaning surface 231' and the second layer 232 having a second cleaning surface 232' facing opposite the first cleaning surface 231', and the intermediate layer 233 being impermeable to residue absorbed into the cleaning fabric 13 from the surface to be cleaned. The first layer 231, the second layer 232 and the intermediate layer 233 extend parallel to one another.

[0059] The cleaning fabric 13 described herein can include additional layers other than those described. For example, the cleaning fabric 13 can include a layer that includes a microencapsulated cleaning liquid. When the cleaning fabric 13 is subjected to pressure, such as when pressed against a cylinder to be cleaned, the cleaning liquid is released from the capsules.

[0060] All the features of the cleaning fabric have been described. The concept of reusability of the cleaning fabric can be stated as follows: After the first side of the cleaning fabric has been used, the cleaning fabric roll, which is located upstream of the printing cylinder to be cleaned, and the take-up roller, which is located downstream of the printing cylinder to be cleaned, are interchanged in their respective positions. When the cleaning fabric wrapped around the take-up roller and the fully unwound core of the cleaning fabric roll are interchanged, the second side of the second layer of the already used cleaning fabric is exposed for further use. This results in a more environmentally friendly fabric that can be used a second time before being discarded. Furthermore, the difference in permeability of the layers ensures that no residues can penetrate from the first layer into the second layer during or after the use of the first layer, so that the second side, i.e. the second cleaning surface, remains clean after the use of the first side.

[0061] A method for cleaning a printing cylinder of a printing system will now be described with reference to Figure 7. The cleaning process uses a cleaning fabric roll 12 which includes a core 14 around which the previously described cleaning fabric 13 is wrapped, and a take-up roller 16. The cleaning fabric 13 is impregnated or pre-saturated with a cleaning composition.

[0062] The cleaning method includes a step 300 of feeding the cleaning fabric 13 from the cleaning fabric roll 12 to the rotating cylinder 3 to be cleaned. The method then includes a step 302 of positioning the first cleaning surface or side 131', 231' of the cleaning fabric 13 in contact with the rotating cylinder 3 to be cleaned. This can be achieved by moving the cleaning fabric 13 so that it abuts against the surface of the cylinder 3 to be cleaned. The method further includes a step 304 of winding the once used cleaning fabric 13 onto a take-up roller 16, i.e. a recovery roller, located downstream of the rotating cylinder 3 until the core 14 is exposed or (at least partially) bare. Once the once used cleaning fabric 13 has been completely wound onto the take-up roller 16, a step 306 of replacing the bare core 14 of the used cleaning fabric roll 12 with the take-up roller 16 containing the used cleaning fabric 13 is performed. In other words, step 306 of exchanging the bare core 14 of the cleaning fabric roll 12 located upstream of the printing cylinder to be cleaned with the take-up roller 16 located downstream of the printing cylinder to be cleaned can be considered as swapping their respective positions when the first sides 131', 231' of the first layers 131, 231 of the cleaning fabric 13 are used.

[0063] The method further includes step 308 of feeding the once used cleaning fabric 13 from the take-up roller 16 to the rotating cylinder to be cleaned, step 310 of positioning the unused second side 132', 232' of the cleaning fabric 13 in contact with the rotating cylinder to be cleaned, and finally step 312 of winding the twice used cleaning fabric 13 onto the previously exposed core 14 downstream of the printing cylinder to be cleaned, thereby re-covering the core 14. At this point, both sides 131', 231' and 132', 232' of the cleaning fabric 13 have been used, and the consumer who purchases the rolls can save the cost and time of purchasing additional rolls of cleaning fabric.

[0064] The method can also be described differently as follows: In a first step, a cleaning fabric 13 with two cleaning surfaces is wound on a bobbin or core 14, thereby forming a supply roll such as the cleaning roll 12. Optionally, the cleaning roll 12 is already provided as a supply roll when it is mounted in its use position upstream of the printing cylinder to be cleaned. In that case, the cleaning fabric 13 is unwound from the cleaning roll 12 and directed towards the cylinder 3 to be cleaned. The cleaning fabric 13 is then impregnated with the cleaning liquid, so that it cleans the cylinder with its first cleaning side 131', 231'. After cleaning the printing cylinder, the once used cleaning fabric 13 is wound on an empty take-up roller 16, gradually forming a take-up roll which can use the uncontaminated second cleaning side 132', 232' of the fabric 13 in the course of a further cleaning. Once the first side 131', 231' of the cleaning fabric 13 has been used, the fully unwound supply roll, now consisting of only the core 14, is removed from its position of use and replaced with the formed take-up roll 16. The cleaning process is then repeated with the clean, i.e. unused, second side 132', 232' of the cleaning fabric in contact with the printing cylinder to be cleaned. Thus, the cleaning fabric can be used a second time for cleaning.

[0065] Finally, although the inventive concepts have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended that the inventive concepts be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. Rather, the inventive concepts are limited only by the appended claims, and other embodiments are equally possible within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Printing System 2 Impression cylinder 3 Blanket Torso 4 Plate cylinder 5 Ink roller 6 Dampening roller 7 water container 8 Ink supply source 9 Dampening water source 10 Cleaning cassette, cleaning machine 12 Cleaning roll 13 Cleaning Fabrics 14 Core, bobbin, roll 16 Collection roller 18 Rubber Pad 131 First Layer 131' First cleaning surface 131” First Inner Surface 132 Second Layer 132' Second Cleaning Surface 132” Second Inner Surface 231 First Layer 231' First cleaning surface 231” First Inner Surface 232 Second Layer 232' Cleaning Surface 232” Second Inner Surface 233 Middle Class 233' surface 233” surface

Claims

1. 1. A printing system cleaning fabric comprising a first layer (131) having a first cleaning surface (131') and a second layer (132) having a second cleaning surface (132') facing opposite to said first cleaning surface (131'), said first layer (131) and said second layer (132) each having an inner surface (131", 132") extending parallel to one another and attached to one another along the extension of said cleaning fabric (13), said first layer (131) and said second layer (132) having different penetration characteristics.

2. 10. The printing system cleaning fabric of claim 1, wherein the first layer (131) and the second layer (132) are made from either a nonwoven material, a woven material, or a combination thereof.

3. 3. The printing system cleaning fabric of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first layer (131) and the second layer (132) of the cleaning fabric (13) are impregnated with a cleaning composition.

4. 4. A printing system cleaning fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first cleaning surface (131') and the second cleaning surface (132') of the cleaning fabric (13) are configured to engage a surface of an object to be cleaned in use and remove residue from the surface.

5. 5. The printing system cleaning fabric of claim 1, wherein the first layer (131) and the second layer (132) of the cleaning fabric (13) have different fiber compositions, fiber densities and / or thicknesses.

6. 6. The printing system cleaning fabric of claim 1, wherein the first layer (131) comprises an absorbent layer configured to absorb residue from a surface of an object to be cleaned and prevent migration of the residue to the second layer (132).

7. 7. The printing system cleaning fabric of claim 1, wherein the second layer (132) comprises an absorbent layer configured to absorb residue from a surface of an object to be cleaned and transfer the residue to the first layer (131).

8. The printing system cleaning fabric of claim 1 , wherein the second layer (132) further comprises an additional absorbent layer.

9. 9. The printing system cleaning fabric of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cleaning fabric (13) further comprises an intermediate layer (233) sandwiched between the first layer (231) and the second layer (232).

10. The printing system cleaning fabric of claim 9, wherein the intermediate layer (233) comprises a polymeric material.

11. 11. The printing system cleaning fabric of claim 1, wherein the cleaning fabric (13) is an elongated, flexible, web-like material configured to be wrapped around a core (14) to form a roll (12).

12. 12. A printing system cleaning machine adapted for cleaning a rotating cylinder, comprising: a cleaning fabric roll (12) including a core (14) around which the cleaning fabric (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is wound; and a recovery roller (16) capable of winding up the used cleaning fabric (13), wherein the cleaning fabric roll (12) arranged upstream of the rotating cylinder to be cleaned and the recovery roller (16) arranged downstream of the rotating cylinder to be cleaned are configured to be interchanged in their respective positions when a first cleaning surface (131') of the first layer (131) becomes used.

13. A cleaning fabric roll (12) for use in a printing system cleaning machine (10) according to claim 12, comprising a cleaning fabric (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a core (14) on which the cleaning fabric (13) is wound.

14. A method for cleaning a rotating cylinder of a printing system using a printing system cleaning machine (10) according to claim 12, comprising a cleaning fabric roll (12) including a core (14) around which is wound a cleaning fabric (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a collection roller (16), comprising: feeding (300) said cleaning fabric (13) from said cleaning fabric roll (12) onto a rotating cylinder (3) to be cleaned; placing (302) a first cleaning surface (131') of said cleaning fabric (13) in contact with said rotating cylinder (3) to be cleaned; winding (304) the used cleaning fabric (13) onto the collection roll (16) located downstream of the rotating cylinder (3) until the first cleaning surface (131) of the cleaning fabric roll (12) is at least partially exposed; When all the used cleaning cloth (13) has been wound onto the collection roller (16), replacing (306) the core (14) of the used cleaning fabric roll (12) with the collection roller (16) whose first cleaning surface (131') contains the used cleaning fabric (13); A method comprising:

15. feeding (308) the cleaning fabric (13) with its used first cleaning surface (131') from the collection roller (16) to the rotating cylinder (3) to be cleaned; Positioning (310) a second cleaning surface (132') of said cleaning fabric (13) in contact with said rotating cylinder (3) to be cleaned; winding (312) the cleaning fabric (13) after both the first cleaning surface (131') and the second cleaning surface (132') have been used on the core (14) arranged downstream of the rotating cylinder (3); The method for cleaning a rotating cylinder of a printing system of claim 14, further comprising:

16. Use of a cleaning fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for cleaning a rotatable cylinder included in a printing system.

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